For non-cheesy family photos!
Well, who am I kidding, if there is a time for cheese it should be the holidays! Here are some tips and recommendations based on my "viral" Family Portraits tips on the beach. And by viral I mean, it gets pinned on Pinterest. I wish I could get bookings from that thing but I guess reputation is great.

First, I just want to say, take this chance to take a nice photo, even if it's Walmart, as long as someone else is taking the photo. Dress up, print it, and hang it on the wall, not just post it on facebook.
So take advantage of the holiday pressure and kill two birds. Get an awesome family photo and send your relatives a printed photo.

So my first tip is going to be:
1. Do a formal portrait. Maybe add a touch of red, but don't make it too Christmasy with the red and green together. Yes, a pop of red is great. But think home decoration. You do not want to print a big photo with your reindeer sweater. It doesn't look that great the rest of the year.

2. Wear neutral colours. For the same reason above, BUT, add a Rudolph scarf? Your ugly Xmas sweater? Your Santa hat? Yes take a couple of really holiday photos but only keep it to a couple.
Wearing neutral colours will let you use those accessories quickly without stopping a shoot for a change. Remember, kids have the attention span of a, well, kid.

3. Keep it short. Kids give you a solid 10 minutes attention if that. So be ready, have the arguments in the morning while getting ready, and drag them all dressed up all ready. Yes, promise ice cream and treats if they behave, but use it as a last resort. Explain how this is a gift for grandma, for someone they like, and that it is very fun and short! A good photographer will capture honest laughs or action shots. I always ask them to show me how high they can jump. The joy of playing is priceless. Or instead of a kiss, to blow a raspberry :)

4. Tickle and play. It will be great if all of you are looking at the camera at the same time, but really, it rarely happens. So tickle away, I will make sure those 4 takes look like one awesome one. Or maybe just get a moment like this:

I am gonna get a little serious here, (this photo is me trying to do a smart face?) but the dorkiness will show up - don't cha worry.

This one I have been cooking for a while. But first, let me say that I think everybody should do it once in their life for themselves.

And this is the important part. I've had clients which have told me "My husband/boyfriend/other really wants these type of photos" and great! as long as that is giving you motivation and excuse to do it.
BUT, and this is a big BUTT

1. Do not do it because you have been told to do it.

Especially if you are saying to yourself: This is not me... I feel so hoochie... I can't. Then maybe don't. Do a glamour photo session instead.

A little black dress that shows some cleavage. Or your jeans and a cool shirt with high heels. You do not have to show me anything. Or anyone for that matter.

2. You do not have photos of yourself.

There are people that hate their photos with a passion, (my mother for example) runs away from the camera or when coerced looks at some other random spot, anywhere but the camera. PET PEEVE of mine. I have one of her with my son, and where the fudge is she looking at, I have no idea.

If you are like my mother, try a glamour session first. You will love at least one.

3. You have really high expectations of my photoshopping skills.

Oh, I can do it, I will give you Kim Kardashian butt, but, do you really want to? I can also make you the shade of number 6 line of the toaster. But you are super pale. It does look a little bit fake. Go to get a spray tan at schulzbeauty.ca first.

I will fix the tank top tan from that weekend you forgot sunscreen. Or match the belly to the arms, that I can do, and do it well. It is when you are expecting abs when there is none, or worse, because another photographer did it for another session in the past. Nope. You do not have barbie skin. Or a barbie butt. It is plastic.

And I am pro-photoshop. Enhancing what is already there and fixing little things like skin tone matching and the chin pimple, and the darn mysterious super bruise.

With Lily and Ander around, and almost being nice outside, it comes naturally to go back to do a lot more family pictures. For the ...

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About Me

To the blog part of this sexy, glamourous and silly things of boudoir and portrait photography. There is some implied nudity around but nothing to scare prudes. Well maybe my sister the uber prude (not sure how we are related).
You'll get to see my most recent work, some tips on what to do for your session and boudoir photography in general and my sense of humour. You have been warned.
"Sexy sometimes is accidental while you are having fun" Very yoda-ish of me.